Today’s interview is with Michelle Moore!
How and why did you decide to become a photographer?
It was pretty much by accident how I fell into photography. I had an interest in photography in high school, but it was more of a hobby at the time. When I was in college I was asked by some friends to come to a concert and photograph their band playing live. I immediately fell in love and starting going to a lot of live shows, and shooting band promos. Once I had done that for a few years, I started to realize I wanted to do more with photography. I worked with a lot of actors while still in college shooting headshots, and various events, and portraits. By the end of my time in college I knew I wanted to pursue photography as a full-time career and just went for it. I wanted to do it because I love being around people, and I love fashion, and found that I could blend the best of both worlds through fashion photography.
When you began your photography career you started by shooting bands and have gradually moved into senior and fashion photography. Describe for us how you switched your specialty and how it affected your business.
When I first started my career with band photography, I was still in college and just doing photography for fun. I started taking on odd jobs (family portraits, kid portraits, weddings, etc.) and once I had decided to go for it full time I had to continue taking on any type of work. I did anything and everything that paid to get started and keep my business going. Eventually I moved to doing weddings full time in the first years of my business. It wasn’t my main passion, but it kept me in business, and allowed me to continue doing the other things I wanted (fashion, and eventually high school senior portraits).
Once I found senior portraits – I knew I had found my true passion and calling. I still shot weddings while I was breaking into senior portraits, but once I was able to go full time it completely changed my business for the better. It was scary at first taking that leap to do only what I really wanted to do, but once I did I haven’t looked back. I was finally able to throw all my energy and focus on doing what I really wanted and making it the best business possible.
What advice would you offer someone who wants to specialize, whether it be seniors, newborns, weddings, etc?
At first you are going to want to try everything out – you probably aren’t sure what you want to specialize in, and even if you think you do, you might hate it. Try everything first – see what makes you stay up at night dreaming of new ideas. Find a way to get there. If you have to do something else for a while to support your passion than do it (even if it’s not photography yet).
When I had my senior portraits taken over ten years ago my photographer provided a make-up artist but I’ve recently discovered that it’s still relatively unheard of for a photographer to include this. Can you tell us the importance of make-up in relation to photography?
I’ve found that working with makeup is extremely important because it can elevate your work to the next level. When you have a great makeup artist (or team of artists) your work has consistency and looks professional no matter what. A makeup artist will know how to do makeup for camera – and that’s not something teens are familiar with. I go into extreme detail in my Breakout Session on how to incorporate professional makeup into your sessions, so be sure to check that out!
Do you offer any styling advice to your senior clients?
I do have a “Wardrobe Tips” section on my website that clients have access to before their session. Mainly they look to my past work for ideas, and previous clients (that they are friends with) for help picking and choosing. I make sure to only share work on my website that is consistent with my brand and style of clients I want to attract so the work I do now is minimal because I’m attracting my ideal client, and they all happen to be quite stylish on their own!! Every senior client on my website is wearing their own clothes that they picked out and brought to their session. If they brought more than the allotted number of outfits, I will help narrow down the best choices, but that’s it.
Your blog states, “Michelle loves helping high school seniors see their inner and outer beauty with her boutique-like portrait experience, and bringing awareness to healthy body image through her fashion and celebrity editorial work.” How do you go about ‘bringing awareness to healthy body image‘ with your photography?
The biggest thing I advocate in my work is that I never over re-touch or edit my photos in way that looks over Photoshopped or fake. I want my clients to see that they CAN look beautiful and like something out of a magazine without all that editing that goes on. I work with a professional makeup artist so that no matter what their skin looks great, and their makeup is camera ready, and I always look for the best locations and pose them in the most flattering way. When at my sessions I am always giving positive feedback and comments to my clients to help them feel confident and great about themselves. I am always positive in every piece of communication with my client and about my images so that future clients come to expect that they will have a great experience as well and receive images that look natural, and beautiful.
A lot of senior photography you see on the internet is very grown up and Vogue-esque but you do a fantastic job of creating gorgeous portraits of seniors, capturing their beauty and maturity while maintaining their youthfulness. Being a fashion photographer too, how do you keep from bringing too much fashion style photography into your senior work? When do you know you’ve crossed ‘the line’?
Thank you! I work very hard to keep my brand very light and fresh and never too “adult” or “inappropriate”. I think the biggest thing that keeps it from being too much like a fashion shoot is that my clients are always wearing their own clothes. I want the session to be about their personality first and so I stay focused on that. If I find that the client has some clothes that are more mature, or want to pose and make expressions that are more serious, I will find a way to tone it down. I heard a trick somewhere once that if one element is a bit mature – to make sure the rest is young and youthful. For example, if the client is wearing something like a mid-baring top, or a sexy dress, I’ll have them smiling a lot and keep the poses simple and not too provocative. This still keeps everything safe and mom-friendly, while allowing your client to still express herself.
How does the business behind fashion/editorial photography differ from senior portraiture?
When shooting fashion you are selling clothes or a product, but with portraiture you aren’t selling the same things. With your portrait clients you are capturing their personality and their identity, and selling that to them and their families. There are a lot of things that are similar – you are there to please your client, but I think with portrait work you are able to create something that is really true to YOU. If you are good at marketing yourself, and your work is marketable you can in find a way to shoot for yourself AND please your clients, but with fashion and commercial photography you are always there to please your clients. I think that in a way they are more similar than you would think – especially on the business side because you are there to sell something and make your clients happy – versus fine art photography, where you are creating something completely for yourself; and trying to sell that is more difficult because all art is subjective.
You’re obviously a fan of Pinterest, but where else do you draw your inspiration from? Magazines, movies, nature, etc.?
Yes I’m OBSESSED with Pinterest! I also pull a lot of inspiration from movies – and live music concerts. I love seeing the way things are lit and thinking of how I may want to use it in a fashion or photo shoot. For seniors I am inspired by the every day – the way light falls across faces, and locations I may encounter throughout the day. I’m always looking for light! In terms of posing and all the rest I’m really inspired by brands I love, and lookbooks or magazines. My favorite brands for inspiration are Anthropologie, Free People, Madewell, and tons more.
Tell us a little about Salt & Prep.
salt&prep was a side project I started in early 2010 as a way to have my own blog specifically for teens and teen photographers. I wanted my own little space on the web for teens to spend time getting ideas for their senior portraits, and education about healthy body image. It was also the first website dedicated to featuring senior portrait sessions from across the nation. I haven’t had a lot of time to work on it recently because I had my busiest year yet, but I’m planning to spend time in 2012 re-vamping it and giving it a new direction. I’m hoping to get some help running it as well because it’s a personal project very dear to me and I have big dreams for it. You can check it out here.
What has been one of your most memorable moments in photography?
I definitely think getting to work with Jessica Lowndes for the first time in 2010 for ZOOEY magazine was one of my most memorable, stressful and rewarding experiences. It was for my first magazine cover and it was phenomenal to get to work with such a friendly, sweet and gorgeous celebrity.
What is on the horizon for Michelle Moore? Anything you would like to see yourself doing or achieving in 5, 10, 20 years?
In the next 5 years I’d love to be working for all of my favorite brands and companies that I am inspired by, and traveling more to LA for celebrity editorials. I will be coming out with my first product this year (be sure to sign up for my breakout session because everyone who buys a seat to that will get a 50% off coupon for the product I’m launching in Spring!), and I’m excited to see what that takes my business in the next years as I grow that new part of my business. More long term I hope to have an office in New York and be working on big campaigns and doing more travel. I’d love to teach in the long long term, or have moved into something similar to the photography industry, be it working on films (cinematography) or producing. That’s still a long way away though!!
Today your breakout session on CM opens. What amazing things will we be able to learn from you over the next two weeks?
My breakout session is geared for “Senior Success” – full of tons of information in regards to working with a professional makeup artist, shooting on location, and getting nice clean edits! I’m really excited about working with Clickin Moms – even though I specialize in High School Senior Portraiture there is a ton of information for Portrait Photographers of all kinds who work with natural light (or want to learn more about it!). There are quite a few videos and a 45+ page PDF full of details about working on location with natural light (and how to find the best locations). You’ll even get to watch me in action as I photograph a High School Senior portrait session on location!! I’m really excited about what we have put together – so I hope you sign up and enjoy learning!!
Thank you so much for sharing so candidly with us, Michelle! We are so beyond excited about your upcoming breakout session at CM. You can find more of Michelle’s senior work here and her fashion work here. You can keep up with the latest from Michelle on her blog, Facebook and Twitter
Michelle’s breakout session on CM starts TODAY. In this breakout session, Michelle will share the secrets of successful senior photography and help you take your work to the next level. For more information and to register for the session click here – hurry, space is limited!
UPDATE:
Comment #31 which is Danielle H. who left this comment: So glad I got signed up for the breakout session! It’s fantastic! Awesome interview too! Thanks Michelle & CM!
So inspiring Michelle! I wish you much success in all that you do!
The picture above where the girl is in front of the brown garage door with the blue top and skirt with her legs out of focus…Does anyone know how to achieve this look. I'm assuming it has to do with the aperture being wide open.
Great interview Michelle! I really enjoyed your pdf and the awesome videos. If you haven't already, you should invest in this awesome little jewel. Thanks Michelle for giving to the photog community.
Nicole – you get that effect with a Tilt-Sift lens – I have an article on my blog explaining it in-depth. Hope that helps!! http://www.michellemooreblog.com/2011/02/12/photo…
Thanks for this opportunity to learn from Michelle. So excited to get through all the information!
Michelle you totally rock my world. I have admired you and your work for awhile now and I am THRILLED to see you on CM. You are such an inspiration to me so I stayed up late (I live overseas) to make SURE I got a spot in this break out session. Let me just say my lost sleep was more than worth it. I cannot believe how much Michelle shares in the break out session. I am in awe and totally inspired now! The best part is that this breakout session isn't just for those shooting seniors but any portrait photographer. Not only does Michelle provide a detailed PDF but 3 videos explaining things!! I love being able to watch her work and hear her further explain things. This is a MUST have breakout session! Thank you Michelle for putting this together.
Is the breakout session at a level for a mom that is not a pro, but just wants to take great photos of their own senior and her friends?
Love love lovvvving all the fab info from the Breakout session! If only I didn't have to sleep…
Michelle, your work is gorgeous!!! I spent my whole morning reading the pdf and watching the videos and will go back to more fully digest all that I learned. The information regarding everything from lighting, posing, locations, makeup, editting was so worth my time and money. I highly reccomend this Breakout session.
I wanted to focus my business on seniors this year and when I saw a breakout session with Michelle I was soooo excited!! I took it as a sign that I need to pursue this and focus on senior photos. The breakout session was so good. So informative!! I LOVED it and was very inspired by it! Thanks Michelle for sharing your amazing talent!! LOOOOOOOOOOOVE your work!
Great breakout session! I would love to see Michelle work with a senior who is not a model.
Thank you so much for this interview, and your breakout session, Michelle! I just finished reading and watching your videos and even though I don't shoot seniors I found your tips very helpful!
I just finished reading the pdf and one thing I hadn't heard before what that the middle of the afternoon gives you the clearest images. I tend to shoot in the late afternoon before the sun goes down. I like that hazy, sun kissed look. But I also love a clear crisp look and wasn't sure how to get that. Now I know! Thanks.
The materials are fantastic. You do not have to photograph seniors to gain benefit. This breakout is for all portrait photographers. Great value and a must have!
Love the materials from the session so far. I'm taking my time going through them!
Loving the breakout session! Packed full of great info & beautiful images. Michelle is so inspiring, just adore her work!
Great interview – so inspiring! I am so excited to get through all the materials and up my senior game!
I love seeing how other photographers edit and work with clients on location! Great Break Out Session!! And Congrats Michelle!!
I love the breakout session material. It has been helpful and I really want to increase my senior photography side of the business – they are so fun to photograph! Thanks for the info!
Great interview and beautiful images, Michelle!!! Can't wait to see where things take you – congrats on all of your successes so far!
I am PB'ing right now and trying to figure out where I want my business to go and if I want to specialize. I keep getting drawn back to seniors and this break out session couldn't have come at a better time! I am loving all this great material. Thank you CM and Michelle Moore!
Love this breakout session!! I was really surprised how you move the contrast in ACR. However, after seeing your edit and the "real" photo without contrast, it made total sense to me. I love that you can add that contrast back in PS. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
What a great breakout session. So much information, even for us non professionals! Such great ideas on how to find locations to shoot at and so much more. Thanks for sharing!!
Really great PDF (love the poses)!
Awesome breakout session! I'm so glad I signed up. The PDF and videos were amazing! Michelle is an truly an amazing photographer. Can definitely use her tips for portrait sessions. Thank you!
Thanks so much for this interview and for the awesome break out session, Michelle! Love your work!
So glad I signed up for the breakout session. The video of your shoot was very valuable to me in my learning process. Thank you!
I love all the information….taking it all in right now. So glad I signed up for this breakout session.
So glad I got signed up for the breakout session! It's fantastic!
Awesome interview too!
Thanks Michelle & CM!
Just LOVE this breakout session!! It's really put a lot of things together that have been swimming around in my head lately… Especially incorporating makeup and the midday sun tips.. I LOVE shooting when the sun is brighter, and I thought I must be crazy!! :):) Thank you again Michelle!!
so AMAZING and inspirational, Michelle!!
i am so happy i invested my money and time into michelle's session. her pdf is full of examples which helps to give the visuial of what she is talking about and then to have the videos with all the tid bits of info is awesome!! thank you, michelle, for being so open about your business. and thank you, clickn moms, for offering this break out session.
Great job CM and Michelle Moore! BTW CM we saw some of your team at the pizza place in New Orleans after the final expo day (this is one of the guys from the PhotoBiz team 🙂
Wow, GREAT material in the Breakout Session!! Michelle is awesome with her explanations and picture examples! Thanks for such a great job!!!!!
This has been the best breakout session I've taken so far! Thanks, Michelle, for the opportunity to learn so much from you and thanks to CM for offering this.
Michelle's images are beautiful and the wealth of information she has provided in her breakout session is amazing! Thank you Michelle for this opportunity to learn from you!
First of all thank you to CM for sponsoring this breakout! Without you I wouldn't have been able to see Michelle in action! Michelle I want to Thank you hugely (I don't think that is in the dictionary but hugely works for me!) for your tips and your candidness. I appreciate the video of your senior session the most. I am not a professional photographer but am working very hard to improve and expand my skills. I have read a lot about reflectors and their use but have had a tough time figuring out exactly where to put them to get results. Seeing the video of you actually using it is golden 🙂 Thank you for the real world information! I wish you the best of luck in your future!!
I forgot to post my question!! You mentioned to have the sun behind the trees and your subject in the shade. With the sun coming thru the trees how do you prevent cast off shade on the subject? Does the use of a reflector address that? THANKS!!
Thanks Terri! Please be sure to submit your question through the Forum so I will remember to see it 🙂 Thanks!! XO
Loved the info…wish there was more video of you in action, but still there was so much great information. I enjoyed all of it! Thanks Michelle!
coulnt ask for more, so much information, clearly explained, I knew I had to do this when is was advertised, the price is a steal and I am getting so much outitaof it, thank you michelle for being so giving
Just got done reading the PDF and it's wonderful! It has a ton of great information and I can't wait to watch the videos.
Thank you Michelle for giving all of us such great information and insight. Thank you also to CM for hosting the Breakout Session – you both are awesome!!! 🙂
It's been a fun day watching and reading all the material. Has given me lots to think about.
Thanks MIchelle!
I really enjoyed the breakout session – especially the video of your on location shoot. Seeing the way you incorporate regular, everyday locations as your backdrop – and how you interact with clients while shooting – is really helpful to me. Thanks for the all the information!
I have loved reading the material & especially watching the videos, thank you Michelle for sharing your knowledge with us!
I was super thrilled when it was time to sign up for Michelle's materials! They were super fun to go through and gave me a ton of ideas for the future and how to really mold my business and simplify my workflow! I am super excited to take what I learned and dive deeper into my photography!
Very insightful. I signed up for the breakout session. Thanks Michelle!
This breakout session with Michelle Moore was FULL of absolutely priceless info! The pages and pages do info on finding the right location for the session and time of day you'll be shooting is like reading through all of the mental notes I've made for myself but always seem to forget! Plus tons of extra tips! The interview with the make-up artist is, again, priceless! They are both so candid and forthright with details you just don't hear other pro's giving up. The editing tutorial was in such detail you won't miss a single thing! Thanks so much ClickinMoms & Michelle Moore!!!
Oh my gosh! Such inspiration! I can't get enough of Michelle Moore!!! Thank you!!!!
Michelle, All of this information is awesome. Thank you for being so willing and forthcoming with your tips and tricks. A lot of photographers are so hush-hush with their stuff. You are a ROCKSTAR! Keep Rockin! 🙂
Michelle Moore is da-bomb! Thank you Michelle for joining Clickin Moms and providing us with such a wonderful break out session!
Ive followed Michelle’s blog for a few years now. She is such an inspiration. I've just started incorporating makeup into our senior sessions and was excited to find out more about how Michelle does it behind the scenes for her sessions. Thanks for sharing!!
The Breakout Session information is phenomenal! Michelle breaks everything down and makes it easy to read. It gives good information not only for beginners but for photographers who have been shooting for awhile too. Michelle Moore ROCKS!
Such wonderful information! I can't thank you enough Michelle for sharing your experience and knowledge. You are awesome! Mahalo!
I wasn't sure if it would be worth the money to participate in Michelle's breakout session, but since I am interested in photographing seniors, I went for it. I am more than happy with my decision. Michelle shared a ton of information, and I have already learned a lot! Thanks for offering such great information at a reasonable price!
Michelle Moore's breakout session full of tons of wonderful information that is helpful to newbies (like me!) and pros as well…thanks for sharing this Michelle!
I love this breakout session! The PDF is beautiful and informative. The video watching Michelle actually working is priceless! This is so worth the money! Thank you so much!
I love this breakout session. Great information. Thanks Michelle!
Thank you SOOOO much for this breakout session! I learned a TON about lighting, helpful tips and tricks, makeup artists, and editing tips!!!! Thank you, Michelle and CM!!!!! You rock! 🙂
I think out of all of the breakout sessions this has been the best. So much material was given out that was chock full of information. The best part? I loved the note she had there for us to read on the thread where we downloaded the files. I just thought that was incredibly nice.
I have really enjoyed this BO session. I loved loved loved watching the photo shoot session.
Thank you Michelle!!
This is my first workshop and WOW I am impressed! Michelle is so generous in what she shares with us and really is easy to learn from. She is encouraging and easy to relate to! This was worth every penny! The materials are incredible and loaded with great information!
This is my first breakout session. I am very happy with the materials. I have read the entire PDF and am looking forward to trying a few things tomorrow while I am visiting friends in Dallas. Hopefully will get through the videos tonight. I was a bit intimidated to try since I am not a pro, just a mom wanting to take betters photos of my soon to be senior daughter. I am so glad I signed up.
Thank you for the great information, Michelle. I'm just beginning to incorporate makeup into my senior sessions, so I found that information quite helpful!
Thanks for the info, Michelle, I loved viewing the videos and am just beginning to read the PDF. I was most interested in your reasons for using a make-up artist and I think that is something I am looking into in the very near future 🙂
Now, according to the blog, we are supposed to ask questions here? I did have a question on post processing. I watched you process your image and kept waitng for you to sharpen the image, yet you never did. You do sharpen the images before printing, yes? I looks like you sharpen for the web as well, I just wondered if the lack of sharpening was and over site? 🙂
Also, you have a very natural processing style and I wondered if there was any cases where perhaps a senior has really bad skin that you use a program such as Portraiture? I personally use it in a layer on default on all my seniors and erase it off the hair, clothes, etc. I was just wondering if you ever considered using it at any time.
Again, thank you so much for sharing with us!
Lori 🙂